Keep your Kids healthy – naturally (Part I)

Every child will soon or later have a cold or tummy ache. Most of these episodes are not all that serious but they can make you and your child feel miserable enough to look for help. In Germany many pediatricians are interested in avoiding pharmaceutical drugs, such as antibiotics, when a young patient visits. In the US it is more difficult to find doctors who are knowledgeable about naturopathic treatments.

The most common health concerns in young children are usually respiratory infections and digestive troubles. Children’s immune systems are being formed in the first months of life, and so kids are more susceptible to infections. Also, their little bodies are learning to assimilate foods that are new to them. That’s not always easy and often leads to tummy aches or digestive troubles.

Chinese medicine has been used for centuries to treat our young friends safely and effectively. Abdominal massage is easy to learn and you can treat your baby at home. Other therapies such as acupuncture and herbal prescriptions should be administered by an experienced professional. Acupuncture is practiced differently in children than in adults. I usually do not retain needles and often use other tools to do shoni-shininstead. I may also tape seeds or apply essential oils to acupuncture points to stimulate them instead of inserting needles.

Leo, one of my young patients, got a cold about once a month. Each time, his runny nose, cough, fever and low appetite prevented him from going to kindergarten for almost a week. Fortunately, his mother was reluctant to use antibiotics. We relieved his cough with an herbal sirup, resolved the viral infection with a classic pediatric formula and stimulated his immune response with shoni-shin on his Lung meridian. After several treatments his regular colds became more infrequent and he is now a robust kid, ready to enter elementary school.

Common childhood diseases range from colic, diarrhea and constipation to allergies, asthma, colds, cough and recurrent ear infections. Young children can also have diaper rash, eczema, cold sores and injuries, among others. In Chinese medicine, we treat these conditions with pediatric prescriptions made of medicinals that are safe even for young children. What’s important for your children’s health and resilience is their nutrition. Unfortunately, what they usually eat can really undermine their health, and it takes a lot of patience and persistence on your part to feed them what’s really good for them.

When are naturopathic treatments such as Chinese medicine or homeopathy appropriate for your child? Observe your child to see if he or she is just uncomfortable or if you notice any signs of serious distress. Most minor illnesses can be alleviated with naturopathic approaches. Often, chronic or recurrent illnesses will respond well, too, especially if they return after repeat courses of antibiotics, which is often the case with ear infections. A professional complementary medicine practitioner, such as a licensed acupuncturist or ‘Heilpraktiker’, will be able to help you determine when a visit to your pediatrician is advisable.

In my next blog post I will give a brief overview of homeopathy and how it can be used to help your children get and stay healthy.

Christiane Siebert, MS, LAc, is the owner of Serenity Health Arts, a complementary medicine practice on Madison Avenue and 40th Street. Visit her website for more information.